The MPP for Huron-Bruce is hoping to inspire more women to make a difference in their communities.
Lisa Thompson is the Ontario representative on the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Canadian Region steering committee, which held a discussion forum at the Bruce Power Visitors Centre.
Thompson says they wanted to share the stories of successful women in the area, in hopes that others will follow in their footsteps and seek leadership roles.
"The whole concept behind our outreach program in 2015 is to reach out to sectors, and particularly women, to learn of their stories, learn of their challenges and learn of their inspirations, learn how and why they want to make a difference in their local communities, in their agencies, boards, commissions that they may aspire to join, or possibly even in the political arena," says Thompson.
Close to 100 people took part in the forum, which Thompson says exceeded her expectations.
CWP Vice Chair Laura Ross is an MLA from Saskatchewan and a member of the conservative Saskatchewan Party, but says the committee is nonpartisan and they do not discuss political issues.
She says the gender balance in the cabinet appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will hopefully serve as a source of inspiration for women.
"I think the prime minister set a very good tone, because one of the things we also engage in is how do we get more women at the corporate boardroom table? So by (Trudeau) sending that very strong signal, I think that it bodes well," says Ross.
